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'Bless Me Ultima' premiere won't happen in NM

Iconic New Mexican novel, "Bless Me Ultima," is set to hit the big screens in a few months, but the premiere is expected to happen in Texas.

Local actors said they've been told there's no room for them to attend the premiere.

Actor Manny Baca's eyes light up when he reads his lines from the movie script. His speaking part was Vaquero No. 2.

Baca couldn't believe it when he got the part.

"I was jumping up and down, screaming, because this book, I started reading (it) when I was 10 years old, and I fell in love with it," said Baca.

Rudolfo Anaya's "Bless Me Ultima" not only takes place in the Land of Enchantment, but Anaya, the principal actors, the extras, and the crew are from New Mexico. And the shooting locations were also in the state.

But, that wasn't enough to have the premiere in New Mexico. It will happen in Texas in September.

"I was upset. I couldn't understand -- of all the places, El Paso, (Texas) ... it didn't make any sense to me," said Baca.

Once Baca accepted it wasn't local, he and other actors decided to caravan to El Paso, but another obstacle awaited them in an email from the distributors representative.

"Sorry. I talked to the distributor, and the premiere is completely booked up. There aren't any seats left. I'll put you on the waiting list for tickets," said Baca reading from the representative's email.

Baca was floored.

"We worked on this film. Why can't we go to the premiere?" Baca asked.

Baca hopes something will change.

"To me, it's not just a movie. It's a piece of my life," Baca said.

A piece he grew up with and will always be something special.

The screening is set for Sept. 17. The distributor said there are plans for a screening in New Mexico, but a date hasn't been set.

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